What’s On
Friday 29th March to Sunday 14th April
Join us for an
Amazing Easter
10am – 5.30pm
Find your way out of the Easter maze to win a treat!
Enjoy creating egg-cellent Easter crafts!
All activities are included in your castle admission.
Ferries depart Keyhaven at 10am then approximately every 20-30 minutes.
LATEST UPDATE
2024 has seen conservation continue at Hurst Castle. Since the most recent stage of work last year – in which English Heritage commissioned a study of extensive geotechnical investigations around the castle – the charity has maintained the structural movement monitoring system within the east and west wings which currently show stability with movement within tolerance and has reinforced the timber groynes to the foreshore of the west wing.
Hurst Castle will re-open to the public in March, and by July the castle will also enjoy brand new interpretation around the site, providing a thorough explanation of the castle’s rich history, from the Tudor period to its involvement in the Second World War.
On site, visitors may also spot conservation in action as HehHattention is turned towards maintaining the Coal Store, Canteen Bar and Tap areas of the castle. Unfortunately, during a recent survey structural cracks in the walls on the front of the Canteen building were found which means it is necessary to close the area while alterations to the roof are considered and the brickwork is conserved. The situation will continue to be monitored.
Elsewhere on site, there will be conservation to the Keep stairway. Added during the late 1880s, when the internal stair between the ground and first floor of the keep was removed, it is a cantilever stair built using limestone blocks. At some point in its history timber supports were also added underneath, but the stonework is showing signs of wear and needs new support, while the harsh coastal setting has also caused the wrought iron balustrades to corrode. English Heritage will be adding a temporary support to keep the stair safe while the limestone treads are conserved, and the balustrade is repaired.
Whilst English Heritage is pleased to be able to proceed with its conservation efforts, it must be stressed that there can be no quick fix to the complex issues facing the castle, from sea level rise to climate change. However, these conservation works and investigations will prove invaluable for future protection of the historic structure.
Bird spotting notes
Hope you had a good Christmas.
Here are a few notes from a recent visit.
Most of the winter visitors are with us now.
Brent Gs – around 950 counted across the patch; mainly in one huge flock that can be seen feeding in the farmer’s field east of New Lane.
Shelduck – 10 counted at Hurst.
Wigeon – around 65 in one main flock on the marsh
Teal – approx. 80 on the marsh
Red-breasted Merganser – 5 feeding in Mount Lake.
Great Crested Grebe – 5 feeding in the estuary.
Spoonbill – 9 seen with 8 in one group feeding together in the estuary. A good number.
Little Egret – 6 across the patch.
Oystercatcher – 28 counted across the area.
Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Turnstone and Redshank all present in small numbers.
Knot – a small group of around 40 feeding in the estuary.
Dunlin – a total of around 800 in the creeks near Hurst in two main flocks.
Greenshank – 1 feeding near New Lane Bridge.
Common Gull – 5 seen in Mount Lake.
Raven – 2 seen at the Castle.
Kind regards and a Happy New Year.
Peter
To hear our news and events join us on Social Media